Warren County blanked by league-leading Bunn

Warren County pitcher Darian Sellers throws over to first base Thursday against Bunn as third baseman Pete Johnson watches.

WARRENTON —

Warren County is in the midst of a solid season and in good position to clinch a berth in the 2-A state playoffs.

But execution continued to cost the Eagles Thursday in a 10-0, five-inning loss to Bunn (15-3, 9-1), which sits atop the Northern Carolina Conference standings.

The Wildcats scored six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to seal the mercy-rule win. Bunn claimed the previous meeting 8-3 and acted as the home team Thursday with its rain-soaked field not suitable to be played on.

Fourth-place Warren County (7-7, 5-4) hung around Thursday behind starter Darian Sellers before it came unglued. With the bases loaded, Sellers exited the fifth inning having allowed only one earned run before three more were ultimately charged to him.

“He pitched good, very well,” Eagles head coach Randy Martin said of Sellers, who finished with three strikeouts. “The pitching has been good all year. We don’t get enough hits and we make mistakes.”

Bunn ace right-hander Christian Sledge went the distance, allowing one hit while striking out six.

Tyler Thompson recorded Warren County’s lone hit in the fourth inning after Sellers got on via an error. But the Wildcats maintained a 4-0 lead entering the bottom of the frame when Sellers got doubled up at second base on Hayden Sullivan’s well-struck fly-out to right field.

South Granville (11-4) and Roanoke Rapids (0-4) are tied for second in the league on two losses.

“They’re very good,” Martin said of the league’s top three. “They don’t make mistakes either. They hit the ball good and they don’t make mistakes. All of them have good pitching.”

Warren County has five games remaining in the regular season starting Friday with Roanoke Rapids.